Hotels and motels

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,700 structure fires per year at hotel or motel properties between 2006-2010. These fires caused average annual losses of 12 civilian deaths, 143 civilian injuries, and $127 million in direct property damage each year.

Facts & figures

In an average year, one of every 12 hotels or motels reported a structure fire.

Smoking materials started 10% of the fires in hotels and motels; these fires caused 79% of the deaths.

Only 8% of hotel and motel fires were intentionally set, but these accounted for 12% of the associated property damage.

Twelve percent of fires in hotels and motels began in a bedroom; these fires caused 72% of the associated civilian deaths and 31% of civilian injuries.

When sprinklers were present and operated, 91% of sprinklers in hotel or motel fires operated effectively when present.